change

to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name;to change one's opinion;to change the course of history.

to transform or convert (usually followed by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.

to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.

to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into francs.

to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed.

to remove a dirty diaper from (a baby) and replace it with a clean one: new parents, learning to change a baby.

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verb (used without object),changed,chang·ing.

to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.

to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.

to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into): The toad changed back into a prince.

to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into): Summer changed to autumn.

to switch or to make an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.

to transfer between trains or other conveyances: We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.

to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes: She changed into jeans.

(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.

(of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register: The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.

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noun

the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed: They are pleased by the change in their son's behavior.

a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.

a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.

the substitution of one thing for another: We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.

variety or novelty: Let's try a new restaurant for a change.

the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons;social change.

Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.

the supplanting of one thing by another: We need a total change of leadership.

anything that is or may be substituted for another.

a fresh set of clothing.

money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.

a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.

Synonym study

1. Change,alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity: to alter a dress, as by raising the hem ( to change a dress would mean to put on a different one).

Word Origin and History for change

v.

early 13c., "to substitute one for another; to make (something) other than what it was" (transitive); from late 13c. as "to become different" (intransitive), from Old French changier "to change, alter; exchange, switch," from Late Latin cambiare "to barter, exchange," from Latin cambire "to exchange, barter," of Celtic origin, from PIE root *kemb- "to bend, crook" (with a sense evolution perhaps from "to turn" to "to change," to "to barter"); cf. Old Irish camm "crooked, curved;" Middle Irish cimb "tribute," cimbid "prisoner;" see cant (n.2). Meaning "to take off clothes and put on other ones" is from late 15c. Related: Changed; changing. To change (one's) mind is from 1610s.

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n.

c.1200, "act or fact of changing," from Anglo-French chaunge, Old French change "exchange, recompense, reciprocation," from changier (see change (v.)).

Meaning "a different situation" is from 1680s. Meaning "something substituted for something else" is from 1590s. The financial sense of "balance returned when something is paid for" is first recorded 1620s; hence to make change (1865). Bell-ringing sense is from 1610s. Related: changes. Figurative phrase change of heart is from 1828.